7 Tips for Choosing an MBA Program

With so many schools, programs and brands out there, it can be difficult to know which way to turn to get your MBA Program business degree.

Here are just a few things to consider as you shop around for the right MBA program.

1. Choose Your Concentration

Business degrees come in many shapes and sizes, so if you’re looking to specialize in a particular area, make sure that the program offers courses and networking opportunities geared towards it. An MBA program with a finance concentration will look different than an MBA program with a focus on management information systems.

2. Mark Your Calendar

There isn’t really a standard time period when it comes to obtaining a business degree. Some programs let you learn at your leisure and can take years to complete; others offer an accelerated pace that’s designed to get you an MBA as quickly as possible. If you’re in a time crunch, be sure to look at dates and program lengths.

3. Talk About Finances

Tuition is always something to consider when you’re browsing potential degree programs, but don’t count out a school just because it’s expensive. There are all kinds of financial aid packages out there, and you never know when you might qualify for one. Talk to the financial advisor at your school of choice and ask them for more details.

4. Think About Location

If you’re obtaining your degree online, this isn’t something that you have to bother with. On the other hand, if you’ll be driving to school every day, you’ll probably want to consider the commute. How much gas will it take? Will you have to pay for parking? Are you the type of person who will brush off class when you wake up one morning and don’t feel like making the trip? Know your weaknesses and plan for them.

5. Evaluate the Faculty

If the program guide offers any information on staffers, instructors or advisors, make sure to plug their names into a search engine. Look for any ratings that they’ve gotten from educational websites, and see if they’re really a person of significance in their industry. You don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on a nobody.

6. Count the Students

Class size can be an important factor in choosing an MBA program, especially if you’re seeking a degree in a classroom and not an online platform. If you like getting personalized attention from your professors, you’ll want to opt for something with smaller classes. On the flip side, if you like the anonymity of big auditoriums, go ahead and enroll in a large class.

7. Read Reviews and Rankings

See what other people have to say about your chosen MBA program. If former students are leaving it glowing reviews, you can probably trust their positivity; if they warn that the program won’t adequately prepare you for a business career, pay attention to the specifics of their complaints. Some deficits can be made up on your own, but others are inherent in the program.

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you compare and contrast MBA programs from the University of Alabama Birmingham and other schools. At the end of the day, you’re the only person who can make a decision about your future, so take your time and choose right.